Corn-popping apparatus.



No. 862,964. PATENTED AUG. 13, 1907. G. GRETORS. CORN POPPING APPARATUS.

APPLIOATION FILED DEO.27,1906.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

PATENTED AUG..13, 1907. p. CRETORS. 001m POPPING APPARATUS.

APPLIUATION FILED DBO. 27, 1906.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

Imam?- @yzid/m/ In kflarizfyw CHARLES CBETORS, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

CORN-POPPING APPARATUS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Aug. 13, 1907.

Application filed December 27,1906. Serial No. 349,722-

To all whom 'it may concern:

Be it known that I, CHAnnns Cna'rons, a citizen of the United-States ofAmerica, and a resident of Chicago, in the county of Cook and State ofIllinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Corn-Popping Apparatus, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to the type of corn popping apparatus which formsthe subject matter of my prior Letters Patent No. 728,550, issued May19, 1903; and the present improvement has for its object to provide asimple and efficient structural arrangement and combination of partsadapted to afford an efficient under drive for the stirring means of theroaster pan or pans; a ready means for tightening the drivingconnections, and in connection therewith a simple and effective meansfor introducing a supply of gaseous fuel to the burners used in heatingthe roasting pans, all as will hereinafter more fully appear.

In the accompanying drawingsz-Figure 1 is a side elevation, partly insection, illustrative of the general arrangement of the parts of thepresent improvement. Fig. 2, is an enlarged detail section of burner,gaseous fuel supply and driving spindle of the stirrer. Fig. 3,

is a detail transverse section on line 00-41:, Fig. 2. Fig. 4, is anenlarged detail section of the central portion of the gaseous fuelsupply and its accessories.

Similar numerals of reference indicate like parts in the differentviews.

Referring to the drawings, 1 are counterpart stationary open toproasting or popper pans removably supported by bracket arms 2, upon thecircular inclosing rings or shells 3, of the gaseous fuel burnershereinafter described.

4 is a fixed thimble secured centrally to the bottom of each pan 1, toform bearings for the carrying hubs of the stirrer blades of therespective pans.

5 are the stirrer blades carried by a hub 6, of an inverted cup shapeand adapted to fit over and have bearing upon the fixed thimble 4, asshown: Said hub is provided with a central stern portion 7, whichextends down through the bore of the-thimble 4, and is formed withtransversely arranged notches 8 for operative engagement with thedriving mechanism hereinafter described; said hub is also provided atits top with transversely arranged notches 9 for operative engagementwith the hereinafter described shaft which carries the cover of theroaster pan.

10, is the pan cover of the same general form as in my patentedconstruction aforesaid, and adapted to normally close the open top of aroaster pan 1. Such pan carries a centrally internally screw threadedhub 11, the screw threads of which are adapted to have operativeengagement with a pin or stud 12 on a shaft arranged vertically abovethe roaster pan, as hereinafter more fully set forth; the automaticoperation of said cover is the same as in my former patentedconstruction.

13, is the vertical shaft above referred to, and which is carried by abracket arm 14 fixedly attached at its lower end to the before describedburner ring 3, and provided at its upper and overhanging end with avertical sleeve 15 through which the aforesaid shaft13 passes and issupported by a suitable enlargement on the upper end of said shaft. Inthe present invention said bracket is formed in two sections hingedtogether so as to permit the cover 10 being swung over to one side ofthe roaster pan, when free and unimpeded access to said pan is desired.7

16, are lateral lugs on the lower end of the shaft 13, for operativeconnection with the transverse notches of the stirrer hub 6, in areadily detachable manner, to permit of the above described manipulationof the cover 10.

17 are a series of radially arranged perforated pipes constituting theindividual burner for heating each V respective roasting pan; such pipesare secured at their scribed.

18 is a hollow post or tube extending up from the floor of the usualcompartment in which the apparatus.

is arranged; such tube ,in the present improvement constitutes a portionof the conduit for the gaseous fuel supply of the burners, and to thisend will be connected in any usual and suitable manner with the sourceof gaseous fuel supply. In addition to such use the said post or tubeconstitutes a housing for the primary driving shaft of the stirrermechanisms as hereinafter more fully set forth. 1

19 are tubular branches in the post or tube 18; such branches extend inopposite directions from said tube, and are provided with horizontalextensions at their free ends as shown for the reception, in ahorizontally adjustable manner, of the horizontal members 20, of thehollow heads 21 of the burners. j

The hollow heads 21, above referred to, will each comprise, theaforesaid horizontal'extension 20, and a vertical main portion to whichthe perforated burner pipes 17 before described, are rigidly attached.

In the present improvement the single post or tube 18 forms the solesupporting means for the different members of the apparatus, includingthe pair of burners, roasting pans, covers, and driving mechanismshereinafter described, and so that the apparatus can be removed" fromits containing housing, as a whole, and in like manner replaced.

22, are horizontal slots in the free ends of the tubular branches 19,aforesaid, and 23 are lugs at the respective margins of said slots. 1

24, are clamping bolts passing through said lugs and adapted to clampthe free ends of the aforesaid tubular branches 19, upon the horizontalmembers 20'of the burner head 21 above described, to hold the parts atany desired horizontal adjustment and for the purpose hereinafterstated.

In the construction shown, the ends of the horizontal members 20,located within the branches 19 constitute valve seats, for the valves25, by which the supply of gaseous fuel to the burners is regulated andcontrolled.

26, is the primary driving shaft, receiving motion from any suitablepower source; such shaft is arranged in the interior of the tubular post18, and in' the present improvement is made to project through the upperend of said post to carry a pair of chain or sprocket wheels 27, andasuperimposed cap or shield 28 to protect said sprocket from anydescending material. 29 are secondary driving shafts passing verticallythrough the aforesaid hollow heads 21, and provided at their upper endswith lateral lugs 30, for engagement with the before described notches 8in the carrying hubs of the stirrer blades; at their lower ends saidsecondary shafts carry chain or sprocket wheels 31 operatively connectedto the chain or sprocket wheels 27 aforesaid by endless chains 32. Bythe horizontal adjustment of the heads 21 with relation to the branches19, the application to, and the removal of the chains 32 from thesprocket wheels is readily attained, as well as the taking up of anyslack in said chains.

Having thus fully described my said invention what I claim as new anddesire to secure by Letters Patent, is:

1. In a corn popping apparatus, the combination of a stationary openpan, a central fixed thimblc in the bottom on said pan. a hub journal'edon said thimble and provided with transversely arranged notches in itsupper and lower ends, a series of stirrer blades carried by said hub. adrivinr shaft provided with lateral lugs for dctachable engagcmcnt withthe notches at the lower end of said hub, a vertical shaft arrangcdabove the pan and having lateral lugs on its lower end for detachableengagement with the not hes at the upper end of the aforesaid hub, and acover arranged in a vertically adjustable manner on said vertical shaft.substantially as sot forth.

2. In a corn popping apparatus, the combination of a stationary oponpan. a central tixcd thimble in the bottom of said pan, a hub journzilcdon said thimble and providcd with transversely arranged notchcs in itsupper and lower ends, a series of stirrer blades carried by said hub, adriving shaft provided with lateral lugs for detachable engagement withthe notches at the lower end of said hub, a vertical shaft havinglateral lugs on its lower end for detachable engagement with the notchesat the upper end of the aforesaid hub, a stationary bracket having ahinged section formed with a bearing for said shaft, and a, coverarranged in a vertically adjustable manner on said shaft,

substantially as set forth.

-l. In a corn popping apparatus, the combination of a gaseous fuelburner having an encircling shell, :1 stntionary open top panarranged-above said burner. a central fixed thimblc in the bottom ofsaid pan, a hub journalcd on said thil'nblc and provided withtransversely arranged notches in its upper and lower ends, a series ofstirrer blades carried by said hub, a driving shaft provided withlateral lugs for detachable engagement with the notches at the lower endof said hub, a vertical shaft having lateral lugs on its lower end fordetachable engagement with the notches at the upper end of the aforesaidhub. a bracket attached to the encircling shell of the burner and formedwith a bearing for said shaft, and a cover arranged in a verticallyadjustable manner on said shaft, substantially as set forth.

4. In a corn popping apparatus, the combination of a gaseous fuel burnerhaving an encircling shell, a stationary open top pan arranged abovesaid burner, a central fixed thimble in the bottom of said pan, a hubjournalcd on said thimble and provided with transversely arrangednotches in its upper and lower ends, a series of stirrer blades carriedby said hub, a driving shaft provided with lateral lugs for detachableengagement with the notches at the lower end of said hub, a verticalshaft having lateral lugs on its lower end for detachable engagementwith the notches at the upper end of the aforesaid hub, a bracketattached to the encircling shell of the burner and having a hingedsection formed with a bearing for said shaft, and a cover arranged in avertically adjustable manner on said shaft, substantially as set forth.

5'. In a corn popping apparatus, the combination of a stationary openpan, :1 central fixed thimblc in the bottom of said pan, a hub journaledon said thimblc and provided with transversely arranged notches in itsupper and lower ends, a series of stirrer blades carried by said hub. adriving shaft provided with lateral lugs for detachable engagement withthe notches at the lower \11d of said hub. a vertical shaft arrangedabove said pan and having a hiteral pin intermediate its height andlateral lugs on its lower end for detachable engagement with the notchesat the upper end of the aforesaid hub, and a cover having a central hubformed with an internally scrcw-throndcd bore adapted for operativeengagement with the lateral pin of the vertical shaft aforesaid,substantially as set forth.

(3. In a corn popping apparatus. the combination ota stationary openpan, a central lixcd thilnble in the bottom of said pan, a hub journalcdon said thimblc and provided with transversely arranged notchcs in itsupper and lower ends. :1 scrics of stirrer blades carried by said hub,dri\- ing shaft provided with latcral lugs for detachable cngagcmcntwith the notches at. the lower end of said hub, a vertical shaft havinga lateral pin intcrnwdiatc its height and lateral lugs on its lower cudfor detachable engage ment with the notches at the upper end of thoaforesaid hub, a stationary bracket having a hinged section formed witha bearing for said shaft, and a cover having a central hub formed withan internally scrcw threaded bore adapted for operative engagement withthe lateral pin of the vertical shaft aforesaid, substantially as setforth.

7. In a corn popping apparatus, the combination of a gaseous fuel burnerhaving an encircling'shcll, a stationary open top pan arranged abovesaid burner, a central fixed thimble in the bottom of said pan. a hubjournalcd on said thimble and provided with transversely arrangednotches in its upper and lower ends, a series of stirrer blades carriedby said hub, a driving shaft provided with lateral lugs for detachableengagement with the notches at the lower end of said hub, a verticalshaft having a lateral pin intermediate its height and lateral lugs onits lower end for detachable ngagcmcnt with the notches at the upper endof the aforesaidhub, a bracket attached to the encircling shell of theburner and formed with a bearing for said shaft, and a cover having acentral hub formed with an internally screw-threaded bore adapted foroperative engagement with the lateral pin of the vertical shaftaforesaid, substantially as set forth.

8. In a corn popping apparatus, the combination of a gaseous fuel burnerhaving an encircling shell, a stationary open top pan arranged abovesaid burner, a central fixed 'thimble in the bottom of said pan, a hubjournaled on said thimlile and provided with transversely arrangednotches in, its upper and lower ends, a series of stirrer blades car;ricd by szlid hub, a driving shaft provided with lateral lugs fordetachable engagement with the notches at the lower end of said hub, avertical shaft having a lateral pin intermediate its height and laterallugs on its lower end for detachable engagement with the notches at theupper end of the aforesaid hub, a bracket attached to the encirclingshell of the burner and having a hinged section formed with a bearingfor said shaft, and a cover having a central hub formed with aninternally screw-threaded bore ndnpted for operative engagement with thelateral pin of the vertical shaft aforesaid, substantially as set forth.

9. In a corn popping apparatus. the combination of a set. of gaseousfuel burners arranged in horizontal relation. stationary open top pansarranged above said burners,

naled on said thimbles and provided with transversely arranged notchesin their lower ends, stirrer blades carriedby said hubs, individualdriving shafts provided with lateral lugs at their upper 'ends fordetachable engagement with the notches at the lower ends of said hubs,sprocket wheels on the lower ends of said shafts, a central gaseous fuelsupply'tube having lateral branches connecting with the burners, aprimary driving shaft having journal supports in said central tube andprovided with sprocket wheels, and chains connecting said sprocketwheels with the sprocket wheels of the individual shafts aforesaid,substantially as set forth.

10. In a corn'poppi-ng apparatus, the combination of a set of gaseousfuel burners arranged in horizontal relation, stationary open top pansarranged above said burners, each pan having a fixed thimble on itsbottom, hubs journaled on said thimbles and provided with transverselyar ranged notches in their upper and lower ends, stirrer blades carriedby said hubs, individual driving shafts provided with lateral lugs attheir upper ends for detachable engagement with the notches at thelowerends of said hubs, sprocket wheels in the lower ends of saidshafts, a central gaseous fuel supply tube having lateral branchesconnecting with the burners, a primary driving shaft having journalsupports in said central tube and provided with sprocket wheels, chainsconnecting said sprocket wheels with the sprocket wheels of theindividual shafts aforesaid,

vertical shafts arranged above the pans and having lateral lugs ontheirlower ends for detachable engagement with V the notches at theupper ends of the hubs aforesaid, and

covers arranged in a vertically adjustable-manner on vertical shafts,substantially as set forth.

11. In a corn popping apparatus, the combination of a set ofgaseous'fuel burners arranged in horizontal relation, stationary opentop pans arranged above said burners, each pan having a fixed thirnbleonits bottom, hubs joursaid naled on said thimbles and provided withtransversely ar-' ranged notches in their upper and lower ends, stirrerblades carrier by said hubs, individual driving shafts provided withlateral lugs at their upper ends for detachable engagement with thenotches at the lower ends of said hubs, sprocket wheels on the lowerends of said shafts, a

central gaseous fuel supply tuhe having lateral branches connecting withthe, burners, a primary driving shaft having journal supports in saidcentral tube and provided with sprocket wheels, chains connecting saidsprocket wheels with the sprocket .wheels of the individual shaftsaforesaid, vertical shafts having lateral lugs on their lower ends fordetachable engagement with the notches at the upper ends of the hubsaforesaid, stationary brackets having hinged sections formed withsupports for said shafts, and covers arranged in a vertically adjustablemanner on said vertical shafts, substantially as set forth 12. In aco'rn popping apparatus, the combination of a set of gaseous fuelburners arranged in horizontal relation and provided with encirclingrings, stationary open pans arranged above said burners, each pan havinga fixed thimble on its bottom, stirrer carrying hubs journaled on saidthimbles and provided with transversely arranged notches i'n their lowerends, individual driving shafts provided with lateral lugs at theirupper ends for detachable engagement with the notches at the lower endsof said hubs, sprocket wheels on the lower ends of said shafts, a'central gaseous fuel supply tube having lateral branches carrying theburners in a horizontally adjustable manner,

a primary driving shaft having journal supports in said central tube andprovided with sprocket wheels, and chains connecting saidsprocket wheelswith the sprocket wheels of the individual shafts aforesaid,substantially as set forth.

Signed at Chicago, Illinois, this 19th day of December CHARLES CRETORS.

Witnesses:

Ropnn'r BURN? HENRY Mon.

